Devil's Slide Trail, Pacifica CA
• 3-star hike
• 2.6 miles out and back
• Easy difficulty | Gain 310 feet
• Pacifica, CA | San Francisco Bay Area
• Driving Directions: North, South
The Devil's Slide cliffs from Pedro Point Headlands.
The steep coastal cliffs just South of Pacfica were a notorious spot for landslides that would regularly result in the closure of State Route 1 and cut-off seaside communities from San Francisco for weeks at a time. The 2014 opening of the Tom Lantos Tunnels was a significant relief for those communities, but the former section of road now by-passed by the tunnel was free to be repurposed as a coastal trail.
Originally part of the shortlived Ocean Shore Railroad then converted into a highway, Devil's Slide now enjoys a new lease of life as a 1.3 mile walking and biking trail above the Pacific Ocean with benches and interpretive signage as areas of quiet contemplation.
Devil's Slide Trail
Devil's Slide Trail 3★2.6 mi, Out & Back, Easy, Gain 320 ft
Trailspotting Map at AllTrails
This wide trail is paved throughout and has plenty of room for both pedestrians and cyclists. There is some elevation gain regardless of whether you begin at the North or South end of the trail - 100 feet gain from North to South, or 200 feet in the opposite direction. Cycling from North to South is more preferable to the alternate route.
Parking is free but very limited at both ends of the trail, but there are alternative trails nearby with similar views for which we have reviews. Both ends of the trail are also appointed with restrooms.
Plenty of room for all on the Devil's Slide Trail.
More Pacific Ocean views from the Pedro Point Headlands.
Tangents:
• Trail Links: Official,
• Facebook Group: Comment on this article
Trailspotting YouTube
Free-wheeling on a kick scooter on Devil's Slide Trail, illustrating the elevation differential from North to South.
Check out our clip here.
Free-wheeling on a kick scooter on Devil's Slide Trail, illustrating the elevation differential from North to South.
Check out our clip here.
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For great Bay Area trails check out Trailspotting's Best Hikes of the San Francisco Bay.
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